damp and mould

Housing associations and property managers have many responsibilities. But fundamentally, they are responsible for ensuring that their resident’s properties are safe, secure and in good condition. Ensuring this, however, can be tricky. From running water and heating to lighting and ventilation, there are a number of factors to consider. And in turn, a number of challenges to overcome. 

Damp and mould presents one of the biggest risks. It's not a new challenge, and its effects have been well documented, particularly following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak caused by prolonged exposure to mould. Following the coroner’s November 2022 report, social housing providers, including local authorities and housing associations, were asked to submit evidence about the extent of damp and mould in tenants’ homes and how they were tackling the issue. 

Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has welcomed the UK Government setting a date of October 2025 for Awaab’s Law to be introduced across the social housing sector. The law was initiated following the tragic death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak, due to a mouldy home. Awaab’s Law is part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act and is set to impose strict requirements on social housing landlords to investigate and resolve issues of damp and mould within specified timeframes, helping residents gain faster repairs and reducing health risks. It marks the biggest change in social housing rules in a decade, aiming to prevent future tragedies and improve tenant safety.

Leading ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia is welcoming the third, World Ventilation Day, #WorldVentil8Day, a day dedicated to recognising and promoting the importance of ventilation and indoor air quality (IAQ). This year World Ventil8 Day will be held on Friday 8th November 2024, with the theme of ‘Enabling Action’. The day aims to highlight ventilation’s crucial role in healthy buildings and a healthy life, with a particular focus on how to help people improve ventilation in their buildings whether it be a home, a school, a workplace or a social space.

David Bly – Managing Director of Cornerstone Management Services Ltd, a company providing independent expert property health surveys is of the opinion more can be done for fighting year-on-year damp, condensation and mould issues in buildings.

For many involved with managing and upholding structural health, it could be argued there needs to be a ‘reset’ with regard to how structures are assessed for these reported issues.

With a proven history providing independent expert surveys into the root causes of damp, condensation and mould, our findings clearly confirm many issues align to the adequate ventilation of a building.

CorkSol the sustainable coatings specialist, has recently forged a new alliance with established social housing provider, Together Housing.
With public and media scrutiny at an all-time high, Together Housing are looking for ways to enhance the energy efficiency of their properties and protect them against cold, damp and mould. If left untreated, this can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks and serious, life-threatening respiratory illnesses, so by effectively treating the problems, homes are made more comfortable, warmer
and safer.

There are a number of issues that come about from the fact that nearly 80% of homes in England are over 40 years old1 – and it is forecast that 80% of our existing building stock will still be in use in 20502!

The most common issues include condensation and damp, draughts, and excessive cold brought on by a lack of insulation which makes heating systems work harder for more money and less warmth. This leads many people to pay for wasted energy – which they struggle to afford as we continue to experience a cost of living crisis. According to the English Housing Survey 2022-23, over a quarter of tenants struggled to pay rent in both the private and social housing sectors3, so it is crucial that their property is energy efficient and air tight so they are able to retain heat within their property.

In the realm of social housing, the challenge of mould and damp demands urgent attention. These issues not only compromise the aesthetic appeal of properties but also pose serious health risks to residents if left unaddressed. Following recent legislative amendments emphasising the necessity of safe and habitable living conditions, there is heightened pressure to tackle these concerns promptly, especially considering tragic incidents such as the passing of Awaab Ishak.